Toothless government and opposition

Would it be fair to assume that Indian parliamentary democracy is today caught in a strange jam, at cross-roads, with a toothless government and a toothless opposition indulging in shadow boxing? Certainly, this impression has been created by the monsoon session of Parliament having concluded without functioning. If BJP legislators were responsible for paralysing Parliament, the Congress members are to blame for having failed to check this trend. If BJP parliamentarians failed to exercise their democratic duty and responsibility within Parliament, the Congress shares the blame for having let them have their way.

Yes, legislators have the right to corner the government on what they feel concerned about, whether it is corruption, FDI (foreign direct investment) or any other issue. This is one of the primary aspects of functioning of a parliamentary democracy. Yet, rather than propose motions or ask questions, opposition members gave importance to indulging in rowdy and unruly behaviour, violating parliamentary ethics and norms. It is a strange irony that despite being vested with the authority to check such behaviour, the presiding officers of both the Houses displayed their inability to do so.

Sadly, this gives an indication of the level to which the presiding officers’ offices appear to have fallen. So much so, legislators seem convinced about their having the “authority” to indulge in chaotic behaviour leaving both presiding officers no other option but to adjourn the Houses. 

What does this really suggest? Did the Congress-led coalition deliberately allow opposition members to have their way in Parliament, as they were also silently in favour of the session ending soon? Oh, this is unacceptable — considering Parliament to be a place where rowdy ones can use their fists, teeth, vocal chords and whatever suits them to have their way. To top it all, these legislators seem to take pride in their not having allowed Parliament to function. It is like displaying their teeth and muscles against what appears to be a toothless government.

But wait, Parliament is not a wrestling field, nor can it be equated with such games — even games are subject to adherence of certain ethics, norms and rules. The only “rule” that was followed in this monsoon session was not allowing it to function and earning substantial publicity for being able to do so. Certainly, an impression has been created that publicity can easily by “earned” by targeting the government noisily inside Parliament and outside through demonstrations, rallies, hunger strikes and other similar means. 

Sadly, even democracy appears to have become “marketable” by resorting to whatever means one can. Marketable, in this context, refers to the bazaar most sought by politicians openly — one is the media and the other is the street-bazaar. This is suggested by political tactics, strategies and other means of politicking indulged lately by most politicians, both inside Parliament as well as on the roads. This does not refer to “selling” tickets, party-positions, seats and all that are linked to actual money — but packages being linked to fighting elections and winning support outside Parliament. There is no secret about there being practically a prize-label attached to most political elections.

Winning support of the people in most demonstrations is equivalent to attracting them with “offers” of gifts in kind or cash. Rather, the focus here is on political importance being given to creating ruckus in Parliament, earning media coverage for the same and inviting people’s attention. Being disciplined in Parliament is apparently now equated with being non-entities for media coverage.

Ironically, with specific reference to their actual parliamentary rights and duties, noisy legislators deliberately behaved as “toothless” members. It is their job inside Parliament to propose debates and vote against the government they are not pleased with. But apparently, the fear of not succeeding on this front prompted them to not exercise this parliamentary duty.

Well, the presiding officers of both Houses and the central government can certainly not be praised for not taking action against rowdy behaviour of opposition members. They seem to have behaved as if they were devoid of any political tooth to actually check non-parliamentary behaviour of its members. It doesn’t make sense of ruling leaders to question the attitude of the opposition members after the adjournment of a virtually non-functional monsoon session.

While the session was on, the government gave an impression of being toothless in taking necessary action against erring legislators. With a toothless government and an equally toothless opposition, where is India’s parliamentary democracy headed? At present, once viewed as a “model”, the Indian Parliament is now being criticised across the world. 

The writer is a freelance journalist